[poodleholic]

River rock for the kennel area. No more picking up poop - just disintigrates when blasted with the hose, on which I have a dispenser for disinfectant (OdoBan) w/turbo sprayer. Keeps everything nice and tidy, and sanitary. The disinfectant kills bacteria (and says it even kills HIV), and it really smells good - clean and fresh.

The rest of the yard is winding pathways (with river rock and stepping stones) ground cover, and grass.

[SunSiberians]

Originally Posted by RonE

I'd think that might be a legitimate concern with Esther, but I'll bet it's cheaper than Canidae.

But I'd worry about the pea gravel, too.

I had pea gravel in my previous yard. So here's my experience with it. The pea gravel gets stuck between their toes so I was CONSTANTLY cleaning up the rocks in my house. Non stop. Another issue is that when the dogs play the gravel gets spread around and you'll end up with areas of the yard that have no gravel and some that has too much. So it required a lot of raking. Also every time you pick up poo you have to take some gravel along with it.

[RonE]

After day three, the straw is still a big hit. Esther continues to rearrange it, which gives her something to do (besides laps in the kiddie pool.) I've pretty much lost interest in hauling 3 tons of pea gravel across the yard in a wheelbarrow. As an alternative, I may just run up and down the stairs for 16 hours straight.

Originally Posted by SunSiberians

Also every time you pick up poo you have to take some gravel along with it.

Here's the odd thing. As far as I can tell, Esther doesn't poop or pee in the kennel. The thing is 12'x18', so it's not exactly a crate. I've given her permission. We've discussed it at length. But she doesn't care. She waits until she can get out and kill another patch of lawn.

Originally Posted by Renoman

Oh, and a built in pool.

The above-ground pool IS a little tacky and I believe Esther is concerned about the effect on property values.

I was just getting ready to go out and throw the ball for Esther tonight when a friend showed up with a 12-year-old who likes dogs and especially likes Esther. So my friend and I sat and visited while the dog and the kid wore each other out.

I'm really going to like living in a smaller town. People show up to bring you fresh-caught trout or play with your dog or to see if you need anything from the store. In Appleton, I don't even know most of my neighbors' names.

[Dieselsmama]

Geez Ron, where did u move to? Sounds like perfect ville LOL Have Esther give me a holler when she gets the pool done, we might become your new neighbors!! I have 2 boys that LOVE to play with dogs <g> j/k

[RonE]

We're moving to a sleepy little town of about 12,000 people called Two Rivers (because there are two rivers that meet in the harbor and flow into Lake Michigan.)

The house we are updating was built by my grandfather just over 100 years ago. My father was born in the house (just down the hall from where I am sitting now) and he lived here until he died a year ago at 99. I grew up here, moved away and never really planned to come back.

Some things you don't appreciate until they're gone.

People come from far away to kayak here. I can walk a block and drop my kayak in one of the two rivers. The lake trout and coho salmon fishing is a big draw, too.

The downside is that jobs are scarce. My wife and I each have a 50 mile (each way) commute - in opposite directions. We think it's worth it, but I put $53 worth of gas in my van yesterday and I fill up twice-a-week.

Esther was no small part of the decision to move here. She loves the much larger yard, the friendly neighbors and - most of all - the beach.

Sorry if I sound like the chamber of commerce, but this is a very big deal for my family.

[Renoman]

Originally Posted by RonE

After day three, the straw is still a big hit. Esther continues to rearrange it, which gives her something to do (besides laps in the kiddie pool.)

You're so silly..... she's not just rearranging the straw. She's deciding on how she wants the 3 bedroom hut to sit so she gets the best view

by the way, they're laying the foundation on Monday